Crossword Genius

Greeks initially beat back a bloodsucker (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gnat

'a bloodsucker' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'greeks initially beat back' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'beat' becomes 'tan' (I've seen this before**).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
The first letter of 'greeks' is 'g'.
'tan' written backwards gives 'nat'.
'g'+'nat'='GNAT'

(Other definitions for gnat that I've seen before include "Tang (anag.)" , "Any of various small biting flies" , "little irritation" , "small irritant" , "Insect often hovering over stagnant water" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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